Week 1: TXL-AMM

Жарияланды: 17.08.2018

After a dreamlike farewell in Berlin with the best friends, the journey finally began with a total of nearly 60 kg of luggage.
Without a return ticket, the journey went via Athens (with lounge access) to Amman Alia Airport.
Arriving at the airport in Amman at 2 o'clock in the morning, the first thing to do was to negotiate a price with one of the dozens of taxi drivers. After an entertaining ride at sometimes 160, sometimes 40 km/h on the highway, the most cautious of the dozens stopped without making any further attempts to continue. I asked: Are you tired? We are not nearly at the destination yet. He replied: Nah, I just need to take a break because I can hardly see anything.
At least that explained the peculiar driving style... The nearly blind taxi driver finally found the destination after a few breaks: Jabal-Amman.
Here I have been happily living for a week in a three-person shared flat, whose two roommates are changing these days. The view from our balcony speaks for itself and is the main place to stay - as soon as there is shade.

Before starting a 'High Arabic Course' at the University of Jordan from September to January, I am learning 'real' spoken Arabic three times a week in a 1-on-1 setting, which is going exceptionally well. However, the method makes me feel like a kindergartener.
Nowadays, conversations on the street are relatively smooth. I even managed to place an order with the carpenter. The result is the beam on the terrace. Next, there will be a 'Do It Yourself' swing next to the rings.
The carpenter asked me which of the two girls in the apartment is my wife. The fact that they are just my roommates left him speechless. Such a living arrangement is indeed unusual in more traditional settings. Unfortunately, I wasn't quick-witted enough to answer 'both' to his question..

In addition to the top priority of improving my language skills in order to be able to respond more cleverly in the future, I plan to establish and eventually lead a sports/movement group (Instagram: MovisionAmman). Such an undertaking here is primarily about contacts and 'lobbying', which is also working exceptionally well. If things continue like this, regular training will start in early September.
The current balance: 100/100.


Жауап

Иордания
Саяхат есептері Иордания